Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Ripples Nigeria

MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President

In an advancement that has stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.

The election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe questions about the intersection of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

The process was monitored by the acting National President of the union, Aliyu Issa-Ore, represented by Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance from the National Headquarters in Abuja.

The election also led to the visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his approval speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, mentioning, « I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to ruin our ways of income. »

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with considerable baggage and controversy.

Allegations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later declared the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed « Iya Chukwudi, » the occurrence resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The aftermath of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political goons apparently performed civil-war-era-style « eye tests » to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition calling for global travel restrictions against him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his doubtful management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group mentioned, « MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare. » They also raised concerns about his ability to efficiently lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to establish control over regional communities. This has led to changing what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting polling systems and frightening voters, especially those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has led to different legal difficulties. Significant amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible nationwide expansion of what they see as an unsafe blend of transport union power and political impact.

The consultation also raises broader questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme dispute and analysis.

This development functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by supporters and critics alike, with significant ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.